13

THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2022 ARMY | FROM Page 5 Page 13 How to Buy Over-theCounter Hearing Aids Dear Savvy Senior, I’m interested in getting some of the new over-thecounter hearing aids that just became available a few months ago. Can you off er any tips to help me with this? Straining to Hear Dear Straining, The new FDA approved overthe-counter (OTC) hearing aids that started rolling out this fall are a real game changer for the roughly 48 million Americans with hearing loss. Adults with impaired hearing can now walk in and buy hearing aids at a pharmacy, big box chain, consumer electronics store or online, without a prescription and without consulting an audiologist. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this new class of hearing aids to lower prices and improve their availability. About a third of people ages 65 to 74 and half of those over age 75 have hearing loss severe enough to aff ect their daily life. Yet about 80 percent of people who would benefit from hearing aids don’t wear them, according to the National Institutes of Health, primarily because of the hefty price tag. Traditional hearing aids ordered through an audiologist cost anywhere from $ 1,000 to $7,000 a pair and are not covered by most private insurers and traditional Medicare. The new OTC hearing aids range from $200 up to $3,000. Who Should Get Them? OTC hearing aids are specifi - cally designed for adults (18 and older) who have mild to moderate hearing loss. You don’t need a hearing exam or prescription to buy them, and they are designed so you can fi t and tune them yourself. Do you have mild to moderate hearing loss? The specifi c signs are having trouble hearing or understanding conversations, especially in noisier environments, over the phone, or if you can’t see who’s talking. Or, if you need a higher volume of TV, radio or music than other people, or have to ask others to speak more slowly, louder or repeat what they said. If, however, your hearing problem is more severe than that, for example, if you also have trouble hearing loud sounds such as power tools or motor vehicles, or if you struggle to hear conversations in quiet settings, then your hearing loss is considered more signifi cant than over-the-counter aids are intended to address. To help you get a basic sense of your hearing problem, you can take an app-based test like Mimi (mimi.health) or SonicCloud (soniccloud.com). If you fi nd that your hearing loss is signifi cant, you’ll need to work with an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist to fi nd a hearing aid that works for you. What to Look For To help you choose a good OTC hearing aid that meets your needs and preferences, here are some important points to keep in mind. Return policy: It can take weeks for your brain to adjust to hearing louder sounds through a hearing aid, so be sure to choose a brand that off ers at least a 30day free trial period, or money back return policy. The FDA requires manufactures to print their return policy on the package. Set up: Many OTC hearing aids require a smartphone or computer to adjust and operate the devices to your specifi c needs, while others have the controls on the device. This will also be labeled on the box. Choose one that fi ts your preference and comfort level. Battery: The package also should tell you what kind of battery the device uses. Some of the older versions of hearing aids have replaceable batteries, but many of the newer ones have rechargeable batteries that come in a charging case, where you charge them up every night. Customer support: Some companies off er unlimited customer support to help you adjust or fine-tune your hearing aids, while others might limit support or charge extra. Be sure you check. For more information, including product reviews, see the National Council on Aging’s OTC hearing aids buyer’s guide at NCOA.org/adviser/hearing-aids/ over-the-counter-hearing-aids. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ever to make this holiday season a memorable and joyous one for all. No matter how big or small every effort counts for us and the many people in need across Massachusetts,” said Major Scott A. Kelly, General Secretary, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “The volunteers who spend time staffi ng Red Kettles and spreading joy to hundreds of children during our Christmas Castle event are the backbone of this annual campaign.” Donations to the signature Red Kettles allow The Salvation Army to provide life-changing social services and other programs for thousands of people in Massachusetts each year. Not only are these important programs offered during the holiday season, but offerings extend throughout an entire calendar year to meet the increasing needs of those battling food insecurity and those who are struggling to pay bills. Red Kettles can be found at close to 800 locations across Massachusetts in almost every zip code, including those positioned outside major retailers such as Walmart, Shaw’s, Price Chopper and Market Basket. Josh Kraft, President of the Patriots Foundation and the Kraft Family Philanthropies, will be this year’s ‘Others Award’ honoree at The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division’s Annual Luncheon on December 6 at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston. In a Giving Tuesday appearance on the Boston 25 Morning News, Kraft said his family’s 29-year partnership with The Salvation Army is built on a shared commitment to providing “access to opportunity” for people of all types in all kinds of circumstances. “I think I learned it from my parents – not telling us but showing us day to day about providing access to opportunity for anyone and everyone; no matter where they come from and what they look like,” Kraft said during the Tuesday morning broadcast. “The Salvation Army is there consistently with support, opportunity and most importantly love.” As families and households face record high inflation and increasingly strong economic headwinds, The Salvation Army estimates it will need to raise more in 2022 to help struggling families this holiday season and beyond. The Red Kettle campaign’s fundraising goal in Massachusetts is $2.6 million. “The number of Red Kettles and distribution days we must staff are a reminder of how great the need is for thousands of people struggling to afford housing, heat, electricity, groceries and other necessities,” said Major Everett Henry, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Massachusetts. “Volunteers are desperately needed in just about every region and community that we serve.” Nationally, 82 cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army goes directly toward funding Salvation Army initiatives. And the money stays within the community in which it was given. To volunteer or donate, visit www.salvationarmyma.org or text LOVE Beyond to 41444. About The Salvation Army The Salvation Army annually helps more than 25 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suff ering from drug and alcohol addiction, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,200 centers of operation around the country. During times of disaster, 100% of designated donations to The Salvation Army are used for immediate response and long-term eff orts. In 2021, The Salvation Army was ranked No. 2 on the list of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. For more information, visit SalvationArmyMA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyMA and #DoingTheMostGood. 1. On Dec. 2, 1867, at Boston’s Tremont Temple, what British author gave his fi rst public reading in the USA? 2. Which U.S. state has the longest coastline: Alaska, Florida or Maine? 3. What is Massachusetts’s offi cial state muffi n: bran, corn or coff eecake? 4. What was a dead language for almost 2,000 years? 5. On Dec. 3, 1800, the Electoral College voted for president and vice president, resulting in a tie between Aaron Burr and whom? 6. Mace is the outside of what fruit? 7. Was Dr. Scholl a real doctor? 8. According to Guinness World Records, the hottest pepper in the world is grown in what U.S. state (part of the name of the state is part of the pepper’s name)? 9. December 4 is National Cookie Day; the chocolate chip cookie originated at the Toll House Inn in what state? 10. What is jaggery? 11. What kind of animal is on the cover of Carole King’s album “Tapestry”? Answers 12. How are pro athletes Tom Brady, Mickey Mantle and Bill Russell similar? 13. On Dec. 5, 1955, what two large labor organizations merged? 14. What color had no name in English until the 16th century, when a food became more widely available? 15. On Dec. 6, 1864, what silent fi lm star was born who rode a pony named Fritz, the forerunner of famous movie/ TV horses? 16. Reportedly, what animal can sleep the longest: bear, giraff e or koala? 17. On Dec. 7, 1963, what broadcasting technique debuted at the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia? 18. In what sport would you fi nd “Marta,” who has scored at fi ve well-known international competitions? 19. What have been mascots at the Olympic Games? 20. On Dec. 8, 1952, on what TV series was a pregnancy acknowledged for the fi rst time in a TV show – “Me and my husband are about to have a blessed event.”? 1. Charles Dickens 2. Alaska 3. Corn 4. Hebrew 5. Thomas Jeff erson 6. Nutmeg 7. Yes, of medicine 8. Carolina reaper 9. Massachusetts (Whitman) 10. A type of sugar in Asia and Africa made from cane sugar and sometimes date or palm sap 11. A cat 12. They are considered GOATs (Greatest of All Time). 13. The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) 14. Orange 15. William S. Hart 16. Koala 17. Instant replay 18. Soccer (scored at fi ve World Cups) 19. Several kinds of animals, robots and imaginary creatures 20. “I Love Lucy”

14 Publizr Home